Using Technology to Deepen Democracy, Using Democracy to Ensure Technology Benefits Us All

Tuesday, July 11, 2006

ABe Appreciation Week: Haibane Renmei

Today's tribute to the work of Yoshitoshi ABe focuses on Haibane Renmei, one of the most melancholy, mysterious, and for me possibly the most fully-fledged ABe worlds. This thirteen episode anime series is based on a set of dojinshi both written and illustrated by ABe. The story focuses on Rakka, a pseudo-angelic young girl who arrives (strictly speaking, she hatches) without memory in the walled City of Glie from which nobody is permitted to leave. She finds herself in a community of Haibane, and we explore this strange world through her own perplexity. It is an anime filled with grace, tenderness, and simply lovely surprises. ABe leaves many mysteries intact by the end of the series, and really makes you pay for the knowledges he does reveal with an emotional wallop.




This clip consists of the music and imagery that opens each episode, and it nicely and quickly conveys the flavor of the series.

No comments: